comparative scanning electron microscopic study on the tongue of the African beauty snake [psammophis sibilans] and Schokari sand snake [psammophis Schokari] [peptilia, serpents, colubridae]

ABSTRACT

The morphological characteristics of the tongue of the African beauty snake [Psammophis sibilans] collected from Beheira and the schokari sand snake [Psammophis schokari] collected from Mattrouh and Sinai were compared by scanning electron microscopy. The surface morphology, location and regular distribution of the epithelial cells on the dorsal side of the fork are relatively the same among both species. These cells are covered by microstructures in the form of microfacets, micropores, microvilli and microridges. The function of microfacets might be for the absorption of chemical substances, secretion of granules and protection of the epithelium. The microvilli in the unforked portion are predominant in all species, while microridges and cilia are less pronounced. The microridges were observed only in Psammophis schokari collected from Mattrouh, while cilia were observed in Psammophis schokari collected from Sinai and Psammophis sibilans. The presence or absence of cilia and microridges may be related to the external environment rather than a conservative character of snake tongue